What is this: As knowledge about COVID-19 and how to deal with the pandemic spreads, it is important that healthcare workers are trained appropriately, which might require a shift from face-to-face learning to online e-learning during times of social distancing.

In this Campbell systematic review, the authors searched for research assessing the effectiveness of e‐learning for improving evidence‐based health care knowledge and practice among healthcare workers. They did not restrict their search by language of publication and did the search in May 2016. They included 20 randomised trials and 4 non-randomised trials (total: 3825 participants). Participants included medical doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, physician assistants and athletic trainers at all levels of education.

What works: Blended learning (which combines e-learning with face-to-face learning) is better than no learning in improving knowledge, skills, attitude and behaviour of healthcare workers.

Online e-learning on its own is better than no learning (and as good as face-to-face learning) in improving knowledge and skills of healthcare workers.

Blended learning is better than face-to-face learning in improving attitude and behaviour of healthcare workers.

What doesn’t work: Online e-learning on its own does not improve attitudes or behaviours of healthcare workers.

What’s uncertain: It is uncertain which components of e-learning are most effective for healthcare workers.

Disclaimer: This summary has been written by staff and volunteers of Evidence Aid in order to make the content of the original document accessible to decision makers who are searching for the available evidence on the coronavirus (COVID-19) but may not have the time, initially, to read the original report in full. This summary is not intended as a substitute for the medical advice of physicians, other health workers, professional associations, guideline developers, or national governments and international agencies. If readers of this summary think that the evidence that is presented within it is relevant to their decision-making they should refer to the content and details of the original article, and the advice and guidelines offered by other sources of expertise, before making decisions. Evidence Aid cannot be held responsible for any decisions made about the coronavirus (COVID-19) on the basis of this summary alone.

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